title: Comparison of P-wave dispersion in healthy dogs, dogs with chronic valvular disease and dogs with disturbances of supraventricular conduction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  P-wave dispersion (Pd) is a new ECG index used in human cardiology and veterinary medicine. It is defined as the difference between the maximum and the minimum P-wave duration recorded from multiple different ECG leads. So far no studies were performed assessing the importance of P-wave dispersion in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The current study was aimed at determining proper value of Pd in healthy dogs (group I), dogs with chronic valvular disease (group II) and dogs with disturbances of supraventricular conduction (group III). The tests were carried out in 53 healthy dogs, 23 dogs with chronic valvular disease and 12 dogs with disturbances of supraventricular conduction of various breeds, sexes and body weight from 1,5 to 80 kg, aged between 0,5 and 17 years, submitted to the ECG examination. ECG was acquired in dogs in a standing position with BTL SD-8 electrocardiographic device and analyzed once the recording was enlarged. P-wave duration was calculated in 9 ECG leads (I, II, III, aVR, aVL, aVF, V1, V2, V4) from 5 cardiac cycles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proper P-wave dispersion in healthy dogs was determined at up to 24 ms. P-wave dispersion was statistically significant increased (p<0.01) in dogs with chronic valvular disease and dogs with disturbances of supraventricular conduction. In dogs with the atrial enlargement the P-wave dispersion is also higher than in healthy dogs, although no significant correlation between the size of left atria and Pd was noticed (p=0.1, r=0,17).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The P-wave dispersion is a constant index in healthy dogs, that is why it can be used for evaluating P wave change in dogs with chronic valvular disease and in dogs with disturbances of supraventricular conduction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Diseases with Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University Of Environmental And Life Sciences, Grunwaldzki sq, 47, 50-366 Wrocław, Poland. agnieszkann@poczta.onet.pl
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noszczyk-Nowak
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Szałas
authors.forename: Urszula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Pasławska
authors.forename: Józef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nicpoń
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004285:Dogs; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*